Why We Love ItTideland Haven clocks in at a manageable, but spacious 2,400 square feet wrapped on all sides by deep overhangs and shady porches. Dressed in board and batten style siding and a metal roof with an extra wide chimney, Tideland Haven looks like the perfect place to while away sunny, rainy, or chilly days in the mountains at the beach or in the country. This laid-back, slightly rustic but wholly comfortable house is the shelter equivalent to faded jeans and a cozy sweater. You can move freely from the indoors to the outdoors or with all those windows and porches, you can stay inside the whole time but feel at one with nature. The meandering yet open floor plan creates lots of separate rooms for privacy and function with a full library, dining room, kitchen, a big living room, and two bedroom suites. Layouts like these can accommodate lots of people without feeling crammed. Too many people in the living room? Head out to the big porch, that large fireplace will keep you warm.

The Wow FactorIt’s so versatile that anyone can picture himself or herself here! Built of siding, you can easily adjust the palette and building materials to make this cottage work in any locale. Want to build in the Low Country? Try a brick exterior. Want to live on a farm? Try this in in white clapboard style shingles. Looking to build in the Texas Hill Country? Try a limestone façade instead of the board and batten.